Amar'e Stoudemire has accepted his role off the bench since returning from knee surgery, not complaining about the 30-minute restriction on his playing time.

But according to a source close to the Knicks, Stoudemire is "ready" and "healthy" to play more minutes to help the team.

"He's in tip-top shape," the source told ESPNNewYork.com. "He wants to play; whatever it takes for [the Knicks] to win."

On Sunday, Stoudemire only got in for 21 minutes -- sitting out the last eight -- in the Knicks' losing effort against the Heat. Down the stretch he was needed because when the Heat applied more aggressive defense on Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks didn't have an inside scoring threat. Tyson Chandler was in the game, but he's not one to create his own opportunities.

Mike Woodson is trying to re-invent the wheel just like every other coach in the league. A bunch of copy cats. It works for Miami and San Antonio....so we have to try it too. NO! Play your best players! Same reason OKC won't beat Miami. Why are you starting Sefolosha?

We CANNOT continue to bench Amare and but then not go out and get someone to fill his place in the starting lineup. It's not fair to Chandler. It's not fair to Melo. It's not fair to our team.